Category Archives: USHJA

Congratulations, Bob Bell!

Paige Parker/$25k Pony Classic

Classic Company is proud to announce that its President, Bob Bell, was recently asked by United States Equestrian Federation’s President David O’Connor to take his seat on the American Horse Council’s Horse Show Committee. In this capacity, Bell will replace O’Connor and represent both the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) on the Council’s Show Committee. “I am very excited and honored that David selected me as his replacement,” commented Bell. “I take this responsibility very seriously and will represent both the USHJA and USEF to the best of my abilities,” he added.

The American Horse Council is a trade organization in Washington, DC representing the horse industry. The organization lobbies before Congress and Federal agencies for the interests of the horse industry, and serves as a unified voice for the equine industry. Bell’s position of representing both the USEF and the USHJA on the American Horse Council’s Horse Show Committee is critical in the promotion and advancement of the hunter jumper sport in the country.

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Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm Win $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Country Heir Horse Show

Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare's Rhythm won the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Country Heir Horse Show. Photo By: Anne Gittins

Lexington, KY – June 20, 2012 – Professional rider Peter Pletcher once again captured the winning honors with NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm in a derby event. The pair earned the top call during the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Country Heir Horse Show for Nordic Lights Farm and the Bruheim Family. A flawless handy round helped them receive high scores and eventually head the event’s victory gallop.

Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm’s smooth trip during the first round landed them in the second place position going into the handy round during the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Using an inside track to slice one of the oxers and jump brilliantly through the challenging two-stride, the duo quickly jumped to the top of the leaderboard with their high scores and added bonus points. Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm’s earned the winning title and led the evening’s lap of victory in the Walnut Ring of the Kentucky Horse Park.

“NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm was really good and super smooth,” commented Pletcher. “He was amazing during the handy round, really the best he has been all year. He has worked his way up and did the High Performance division. After Devon I decided that he’s good to just be a derby horse now and focus on that instead of the High Performance. He’s come along beautifully. He’s so brave and honest; he’s right on track. We’re hoping he stays like this through the Finals.”

Continue reading Peter Pletcher and NLF Shakespeare’s Rhythm Win $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Country Heir Horse Show

Kelley Farmer and Taken Gallop to $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Victory

McArdle and Bravoman, Dayton and Caballero 81, Crown and Can Be Good Win in Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers; Mack-Gorin Tops Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal, MacNamara Takes Overall Title; Raposa Sweeps 16-17 Junior Hunters

Kelley Farmer and Taken. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – April 1, 2012 – The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival drew to a close today. The feature attraction of the day was the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at The Stadium, and Kelley Farmer rode Nancy Amling’s Taken to victory. Competition concluded in the International Arena on Sunday with the junior and amateur-owner jumpers competing in their final classics. Beginning the morning, Abigail McArdle jumped to victory in the $10,000 Griffis Group High Junior Jumper Classic aboard Bravoman. Cara Dayton and Caballero 81 earned top honors in the $10,000 Charles Owen Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and Alexandra Crown and Can Be Good won the $10,000 South Florida SportChassis Low Junior Jumper Classic. In the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal, Tracey Mack-Gorin won the final class, while Devon MacNamara won the circuit award. Schaefer Raposa wrapped her last week with wins in the Marley Goodman Small and Antares Large 16-17 Junior Hunters.

Continue reading Kelley Farmer and Taken Gallop to $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Victory

Gulf Coast Winter Classic Week III

We finished our third week in Gulfport today and wow has time zoomed by.  As of today we are half way through our Winter Circuit in Gulfport and each week seems to be getting better and better and I know it’s because of the wonderful exhibitors we have showing this year.

Next week (week 4) is our Celebration of Hunters with our USHJA International Hunter Derby on the Grand Prix Field and we also will host the “County Party” on Friday night.  You would think after the incredible party that Domino’s Pizza hosted this week with the jungle theme and great band that nothing could be better but this one is always a favorite among exhibitors too.

This week the Gulf Coast Classic Company started with ShowNet and streaming video in  the Grand Prix Field and main hunter ring.  Watch your horse or just take a look at the wonderful Grand Prix Ring in Gulfport.

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Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts

WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals will be a new indoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show attracting the top riders from USHJA Zone 4 and beyond.

WEBSITE: www.southeastmedalfinals.com

WHEN: September 21-23, 2012

WHERE: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3,000 seats, two outdoor ring and 500 permanent stalls.

FEATURES

  • Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals
  • Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals
  • ASPCA Maclay Regionals
  • Region Three Maclay Equitation Classic
  • Florida Equitation Classic
  • Zone 4 USEF Pessoa National Hunt Seat Medal Finals
  • Zone 4 USEF Adult Medal Finals
  • Zone 4 $10,000 Children’s Jumper Championship
  • Zone 4 $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship
  • Zone 4 Children’s Hunter Championship
  • Zone 4 Adult Hunter Championship
  • Zone 4 Children’s Hunter Pony Championship

Continue reading Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts

Jacksonville Winter Series – Hunter Derby Jan. 14, 2012

Jennifer Alfano on Jersey Boy © Teri Rehkopf, HorsesintheSouth.com

I finally got to see an indoor hunter derby under the lights at the huge covered arena at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL (just south of Jacksonville) at the annual Jacksonville Winter Series.  I missed it last year due to other commitments I had, but made it to the USHJA $25,000 International Hunter Derby this year. Read more about the derby and the Jax Winter Series here.

Every year I get to see the  hunter classes and the grand prix jumping, but I haven’t seen a hunter derby other than what I can see online. I was really cool and not what I expected – a lot faster! Hard to shoot pictures and figure out a good spot to be in, but I got a few good shots anyway.

I was really great to see some of the hunter riders here that we put articles online about. It’s amazing that some of these riders can do so many different horses all in one class, too! Kelly Farmer rode 6 horses; Jennifer Alfano, who won the class on Jersey Boy, rode 4 horses; Liza Boyd rode 2 horses. Talk about being in shape – what athletes these women are. They are all winners in my eyes, including the 15 year old young lady that rode!

As usual, the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association put on a great dinner before the show with viewing access to the whole ring. I will definitely be making it to the next hunter derby that we have in close proximity.

Kelly Farmer on Bases Loaded © Teri Rehkopf, HorsesintheSouth.com

We are overwhelmed with shows in our area and I wish I could go see them all. On my list next is to go to a combined driving show. Here’s hoping we have good weather since these aren’t in a nice covered arena. I have been shooting pictures in the covered arena during a rain with the wind blowing hard and gotten slightly wet and cold. That’s no fun, lol. We Floridians aren’t used to the cold. It went from 21 degrees in the morning 2 days ago back up to 78 degrees today!

This weekend is my dressage club’s schooling show and it’s supposed to rain. We desperately need the rain here as we are so dry and my pastures need it, but can’t it be when it’s not the day of a show?

2012 Jacksonville Winter Series Wrap Up

Jennifer Alfano & Jersey Boy - USHJA International Hunter Derby ©Flashpoint Photography

February 3, 2012 – Green Cove Springs, FL – The Jacksonville Winter Series wrapped up its three week run on January 29th with the naming of Circuit Champions and a lot of fond memories for those attending.

Alexis Newman of the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association summed up the series: “We enjoyed a fantastic three weeks of shows that were marked with great exhibitor parties, superb competition, wonderful camaraderie, near perfect weather, plus a touching and successful benefit dinner.” The support of attendees raised in excess of $14,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project and local 4-H clubs. Show manager Bob Bell echoed Newman’s sentiment: “The number of exhibitors may not have been what we hoped for, but the competition was nothing less than fierce! I really feel this was one the best Jacksonville series yet – like Alexis said, we just had the best of everything come together and make for a great three weeks.”

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Take Jacksonville Winter A to Z by Storm

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the last week of the Jacksonville Winter Series A to Z. Photo By: Flashpoint Photography

Buffalo, NY – January 31, 2012 – As 2012 kicks off for SBS Farms, Inc., it is apparent that nothing is going to stand in their way. Professional rider and trainer Jennifer Alfano rode Jersey Boy to a spectacular win in the Jacksonville Winter Series $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby last week. She and her mounts have earned numerous distinctions in the hunter rings, riding to the top scores with ease and consistency.

Alfano rode Jersey Boy to the reserve championship in the High Performance Hunters earlier in the week, earning the first and second place ribbons over fences as well as the blue ribbon for their efforts in the handy course. The team was only getting started for the week.

“Jersey Boy was awesome this week; he did great in the High Performance Hunters and then was spectacular for the derby,” Alfano described. “The first round he went around really lightly and skillfully but in the handy he was really just beautiful.”

Continue reading Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Take Jacksonville Winter A to Z by Storm

Riders Announced for the 2012 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session

2011 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session. USEF Archives.

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will ring in the New Year with the sixth annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and Adequan. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, will once again host 12 of the top young riders in the U.S. January 3-7, 2012.

The following 12 riders will participate in the five-day training session sponsored by The Dutta Corporation, Farnam, Practical Horseman, and Equestrian Sport Productions:

Carly Anthony
Natalie Crane
Katie Dinan
Taylor Harris
Lillie Keenan
Sarah Milliren
Michael Murphy
Meg O’Mara
Jacob Pope
Wilton Porter
Samantha Ramsay
Samantha Schaefer

Continue reading Riders Announced for the 2012 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session

Hugh Kincannon Honored with USHJA’s President’s Distinguished Service Award

Hugh Kincannon received the USHJA's President's Distinguished Service Award. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports

Lexington, KY – December 12, 2011 – On December 6, 2011, Hugh Kincannon of Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, was recognized at the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner. Kincannon received the President’s Distinguished Service Award for his management of USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, the USEF Pony Finals, and the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition. The USHJA presented the award to Kincannon for his dedication to these events, and his efforts to always go above and beyond to make them a success.

In 2006, USHJA created a new award category, the USHJA President’s Distinguished Service Awards. These awards were developed by the President and staff to recognize and honor the dedication and service by members to USHJA and our sport. The staff and President reviewed the programs of USHJA, as well as the work involved in developing and implementing them, and those individuals who have gone beyond the call of duty to bring our sport to a new level and to benefit our membership.

Continue reading Hugh Kincannon Honored with USHJA’s President’s Distinguished Service Award